Before head coach Megan Griffith CC ’07 returned to the hardwood court of her alma mater in 2016, the Columbia women’s basketball team fell short of reaching its full potential. With the team’s last “golden age” dating back to the 1985-1986 season — when the Lions earned their first bid to an NCAA Tournament and finished third in Division III — Griffith saw an opportunity to move the team in a different direction.
“My main goal was to build a program built on sustained championship culture — a program that all alums would be proud of and one that would build community,” said Griffith. “I know how tumultuous my time was here as a player, as well as that of many other alums. We didn’t have a sense of pride; we didn’t have a community that wrapped their arms around us. It was lonely being a student-athlete at times, and I wanted better for all of us and for the future. I am confident we are on our way now — and we won’t stop.”
I hope our story inspires younger athletes — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Thirty-eight years later, during the 2023-2024 season, the Lions catapulted onto the national stage. The team unleashed a torrent of record-breaking achievements, including their March Madness debut in the NCAA Tournament as a Division I program.
This season, longtime supporters and a new wave of fans are flocking to the Francis S. Levien Gymnasium — or tuning into ESPN+ — to witness the team’s resurgence.
“The energy of the team is infectious,” said Virginia Ryan ’83, special assistant to the chief health officer. “Coach Megan Griffith has built the women’s basketball team with Barnard students — creating a Lions family that depends on the contributions of each member to succeed as a team.”
One of the actions Griffith has honed during her tenure is the recruitment of more Barnard students. Blau Tor ’27, an international student and former player on Spain’s U18 national team, and Emily Montes ’27 both benefit from Barnard’s unique position as the only women’s college offering its students the opportunity to play Division I athletics through the Columbia-Barnard Athletic Consortium.
“Being part of a successful program, like a women’s basketball team, instills a sense of pride,” said Tor. “Wearing the team jersey and representing our school creates a shared identity and culture. Balancing the demands of a Division I sport with a rigorous academic schedule at Barnard has taught me invaluable lessons in discipline, time management, and resilience.”
“The women’s basketball team truly has created a second family for me,” Montes added.
Over the last year, women’s basketball has grown a lot, but even still, some universities don’t get the support that we do.
Read more from Montes and Tor, who share the spirit of the 1985-86 season, which can still be felt on the court today.
How has your experience as a student-athlete at Barnard impacted your growth?
Tor: Juggling training schedules, competitions, and coursework requires a high level of self-discipline. In sports, the mental load involves a lot — whether it’s a loss in a competition, an injury, or a bad day. Learning to bounce back from these challenges has enhanced my ability to cope with academic pressures and personal hardships.
Montes: My experience being both an athlete and a student has significantly improved my ability to be present: When I am at practice, I am solely focused on practice; when I am in class, I am solely focused on what’s being taught; when I am with my friends and family, I am focused on spending time with them.
When you let things take over from different parts of your life and not give the full attention that moment deserves, you don’t get to fully appreciate the moments you’re in. In perspective, I only have four years of college here, and I want to soak it up to fully appreciate every second.
How has your time so far on the women’s basketball team fostered a sense of community and belonging?
Tor: Working toward common objectives, such as winning games and improving our skills, has created a strong bond among team members. Also, our amazing upperclassmen mentor us as younger players — they create a nurturing environment where everyone feels valued when they share their experiences, advice, and guidance.
Montes: We are a family all aligned with the same goal, and we spend countless hours pushing toward it. This creates an indescribable bond between all of us that I will carry for the rest of my life.
How has the recent surge in attention surrounding the Columbia women’s basketball team impacted your experience as a player?
Tor: I hope our story inspires younger athletes — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Last year was such a successful year for us. As a first-year, I was able to enjoy and live the amazing experience of participating in a March Madness tournament with this team and with the wonderful teammates that we had last year.
Montes: It’s been such a cool thing to experience, knowing that so many people have watched our journey and are tuned into what we do. Over the last year, women’s basketball has grown a lot, but even still, some universities don’t get the support that we do. I feel motivated by the amount of people who love supporting us.
Barnard Night: Lions Defeat the Big Green
What are you most looking forward to this basketball season?
Tor: We hope to win the Ivy League Tournament, play in March Madness again, and arrive at the Sweet 16. As for an individual goal, I am looking forward to refining my skills, contributing to the team’s overall performance, and getting into my national team [in Spain] this summer. Each practice is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Montes: I have been playing basketball since I was 3 years old, and I grew up watching the NCAA Tournament. Getting to go there last year, even while being injured, was a surreal moment that I will never forget. When we get to go back, and I am now able to play, it will be the ultimate “I made it” moment.
What are some of the most memorable moments and achievements you have experienced on the team?
Tor: I would say that the best moment was when we got announced to go to March Madness — and when Abigail Hsu got drafted.
Montes: My most memorable experience was when we got the at-large bid to go to the NCAA Tournament. It was such a whirlwind of emotion to go from losing the Ivy championship to getting into the tournament we have always dreamed of going to since we were kids. The genuine happiness everyone felt when we got in will be permanently ingrained in my brain.
Highlights from Barnard Night
